The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-23
BEING PRESENTED TO THE PRINCE.
An American Humorist Tells How He
Met the Heir to the British Throne.

An american HumOr1St Tells How He
Met the Heir to the British Throne.
From the Indianapolis Journal
When Marshall P. Wilder, the grotesque,
| hunchbacked little humorist went to London
he was so lucky as to secure the patronage
| of the Prince of Wales. The circumstances
| are interesting, as they reveal a state of So
| ciety unknown in this country, and as show
| ing how the Prince conducts himself Wild
| er had heard that one plaudit from the
! Princes hands would be worth dollars and
| dollars to himself, and was naturally very
| DESTROYS of getting his royal highness for
| an auditor As he tells it, the way they do
that sort of thing isthis: Suppose some lady
| gets up an entertainment in benefit of a
| charity or for any other purpose and invites
! the Prince. In case he announces his inten-
| tion of being present, list OF entertainers
| is given to him and he selects those whom
| he would like to hear That he picked out
| my name with others from a long list on the
| occasion shall speak of was due to the sug-
| gestion of Irving. 1t was an entertainment
| given at the Grosvenor House, the residence
| of the Duke of Westminster The hall, in
| expectation of the Princes coming, was pro-
| vided with lot of easy chairs and sofas in
| the front. Whenever it is known that the
| Prince is to be present everybody comes
early, for it would be grave disrespect for
any one to arrive later than his highness.
| The Prince himself is very prompt but he
| never comes in until a minute or two later
| than the hour, possibly to allow any delin-
| quents to get into their proper places. Then
| he enters with considerable formality If
| he is alone he walks down the aisle ahead of
| his courtiers; but if the Princess of Wales is
with him, as on this occasion, they walk to-
| gether, she leaning upon his arm. Then come
| the courtiers and ladies in waiting in the
order of their respective ranks. As the
| Prince enters all in the room rise and remain
standing until he has seated himself After
| that the show begins. When it was over
was told he wished TO see me. went out
| and saw all the people standing up. The
| Prince was talking with those vino were
| being presented. 1t is very formal affair
l was led up to him and the highness who
| led me said:
"Your royal highness, permit me TO pre-
| sent the American hrmorist, Mr.. Wilder"
was ready for stiff bow and position
of humility for myself, but to my surprise
| he extended his hand and said several pretty
| things about my work, and expressed a wish
| to hear me again. That settled il, if l may
mention business at this time, for the next
morning / made fifteen engagements. One
OF two others were presented to the Prince
and then he withdrew
This ceremony, to an American, was very
amusing No one had left the room and, as
he passed down the aisle, they all bowed very
low and Strengthened up again as he passed.
The fluctuations of the bowling heads made
IL seem as il the audience were made of India
rubber. Not q word was said, but OH the
instant that the doors closed on his royal
highneSs and his train, every tongue was
loosened and torrent Of long peut-up con-
versation burst forth. Such chattering.
It was an exaggeration of the ordinary
school taking a recess. | met the Prince on
five other occasions and il seems TO me that
can say without being biased by his kind
ness TO me that he is the best type of good
fellow. / had the honor of sitting next to
him at dinner on one occasion. He converses
freely on any topic, for he is thoroughly
informed man. But best Of all lac puts
man at his ease at the start. AT this dinner
| took up a glass OF water, though wine
stood before me.
THAT is water" said the Prince, pleas
antly.
"Yes your royal highness," answered
in some trepidation; II never drink any
thing else"
He simply nodded gravcly and passed at
once to another topic making no allusion to
my popularity. When you first meet him
you have to say ''your royal highness" two
or three times in addressing him in answer
to a question. OF course, you never address
him otherwise; but after that, If he condo
sends to converse further, you need only
answer "Sir," as you would to anybody
else.
He shook hands and said, "Well, my little
chap, have you succeeded well hereF